Inbred maize line PH63A

ABSTRACT

An inbred maize line, designated PH63A, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line PH63A, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line PH63A with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line PH63A with another maize line or plant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of maize breeding, specifically relatingto an inbred maize line designated PH63A.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety or hybridvarious desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may includeresistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought,reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomicquality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plantcharacteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growthrate, maturity, and plant and ear height, is important.

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of theplant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen fromone flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. A plant is cross-pollinated if the pollen comes from a flower ona different plant.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between twodifferent homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybridplants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of twoplants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce apopulation of hybrid plants that differ genetically and will not beuniform.

Maize (zea mays L.), often referred to as corn in the United States, canbe bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Maizehas separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on thetassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs in maizewhen wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrude fromthe tops of the ears.

A reliable method of controlling male fertility in plants offers theopportunity for improved plant breeding. This is especially true fordevelopment of maize hybrids, which relies upon some sort of malesterility system. There are several options for controlling malefertility available to breeders, such as: manual or mechanicalemasculation (or detasseling), cytoplasmic male sterility, genetic malesterility, gametocides and the like.

Hybrid maize seed is typically produced by a male sterility systemincorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate strips of twoinbred varieties of maize are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearingtassels are removed from one of the inbreds (female). Providing thatthere is sufficient isolation from sources of foreign maize pollen, theears of the detasseled inbred will be fertilized only from the otherinbred (male), and the resulting seed is therefore hybrid and will formhybrid plants.

The laborious, and occasionally unreliable, detasseling process can beavoided by using cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMSinbred are male sterile as a result of factors resulting from thecytoplasmic, as opposed to the nuclear, genome. Thus, thischaracteristic is inherited exclusively through the female parent inmaize plants, since only the female provides cytoplasm to the fertilizedseed. CMS plants are fertilized with pollen from another inbred that isnot male-sterile. Pollen from the second inbred may or may notcontribute genes that make the hybrid plants male-fertile. Usually seedfrom detasseled fertile maize and CMS produced seed of the same hybridare blended to insure that adequate pollen loads are available forfertilization when the hybrid plants are grown.

There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations asdescribed by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. Theseand all patents referred to are incorporated by reference. In additionto these methods, Albertsen et al., of Pioneer Hi-Bred, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/848,433, have developed a system of nuclear malesterility which includes: identifying a gene which is critical to malefertility; silencing this native gene which is critical to malefertility; removing the native promoter from the essential malefertility gene and replacing it with an inducible promoter; insertingthis genetically engineered gene back into the plant; and thus creatinga plant that is male sterile because the inducible promoter is not "on"resulting in the male fertility gene not being transcribed. Fertility isrestored by inducing, or turning "on", the promoter, which in turnallows the gene that confers male fertility to be transcribed.

There are many other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in theart, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. These methods use avariety of approaches such as delivering into the plant a gene encodinga cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specific promoter oran antisense system in which a gene critical to fertility is identifiedand an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (see:Fabinjanski, et al. EPO 89/3010153.8 publication no. 329,308 and PCTapplication PCT/CA90/00037 published as WO 90/08828).

Another system useful in controlling male sterility makes use ofgametocides. Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topicalapplication of chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are criticalto male fertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertilityin the plants only for the growing season in which the gametocide isapplied (see Carlson, Glenn R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904). Application ofthe gametocide, timing of the application and genotype specificity oftenlimit the usefulness of the approach.

The use of male sterile inbreds is but one factor in the production ofmaize hybrids. The development of maize hybrids requires, in general,the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines,and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrentselection breeding methods are used to develop inbred lines frombreeding populations. Breeding programs combine the genetic backgroundsfrom two or more inbred lines or various other broad-based sources intobreeding pools from which new inbred lines are developed by selfing andselection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with otherinbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluated todetermine which of those have commercial potential.

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, each ofwhich may have one or more desirable characteristics that is lacking inthe other or which complements the other. If the two original parents donot provide all the desired characteristics, other sources can beincluded in the breeding population. In the pedigree method, superiorplants are selfed and selected in successive generations. In thesucceeding generations the heterozygous condition gives way tohomogeneous lines as a result of self-pollination and selection.Typically in the pedigree method of breeding five or more generations ofselfing and selection is practiced: F₁ →F₂ ; F₃ →F₄ ; F₄ →F₅, etc.

Recurrent selection breeding, backcrossing for example, can be used toimprove an inbred line. Backcrossing can be used to transfer a specificdesirable trait from one inbred or source to an inbred that lacks thattrait. This can be accomplished, for example, by first crossing asuperior inbred (recurrent parent) to a donor inbred (non-recurrentparent), that carries the appropriate gene(s) for the trait in question.The progeny of this cross is then mated back to the superior recurrentparent followed by selection in the resultant progeny for the desiredtrait to be transferred from the non-recurrent parent. After five ormore backcross generations with selection for the desired trait, theprogeny will be heterozygous for loci controlling the characteristicbeing transferred, but will be like the superior parent for most oralmost all other genes. The last backcross generation is then selfed togive pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) being transferred.

A single cross hybrid maize variety is the cross of two inbred lines,each of which has a genotype that complements the genotype of the other.The hybrid progeny of the first generation is designated F₁. In thedevelopment of hybrids only the F₁ hybrid plants are sought. PreferredF₁ hybrids are more vigorous than their inbred parents. This hybridvigor, or heterosis, can be manifested in many polygenic traits,including increased vegetative growth and increased yield.

The development of a hybrid maize variety involves three steps: (1) theselection of plants from various germplasm pools for initial breedingcrosses; (2) the selfing of the selected plants from the breedingcrosses for several generations to produce a series of inbred lines,which, although different from each other, breed true and are highlyuniform; and (3) crossing the selected inbred lines with differentinbred lines to produce the hybrid progeny (F₁). During the inbreedingprocess in maize, the vigor of the lines decreases. Vigor is restoredwhen two different inbred lines are crossed to produce the hybridprogeny (F₁). An important consequence of the homozygosity andhomogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid between a definedpair of inbreds will always be the same. Once the inbreds that give asuperior hybrid have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproducedindefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parents ismaintained.

A single cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed toproduce the F₁ progeny. A double cross hybrid is produced from fourinbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F₁ hybridsare crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F₁hybrids is lost in the next generation (F₂). Consequently, seed fromhybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.

Maize is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goalof plant breeders is to develop high-yielding maize hybrids that areagronomically sound based on stable inbred lines. The reasons for thisgoal are obvious: to maximize the amount of grain produced with theinputs used and minimize susceptibility of the crop to environmentalstresses. To accomplish this goal, the maize breeder must select anddevelop superior inbred parental lines for producing hybrids. Thisrequires identification and selection of genetically unique individualsthat occur in a segregating population. The segregating population isthe result of a combination of crossover events plus the independentassortment of specific combinations of alleles at many gene loci thatresults in specific genotypes. Based on the number of segregating genes,the frequency of occurrence of an individual with a specific genotype isless than 1 in 10,000. Thus, even if the entire genotype of the parentshas been characterized and the desired genotype is known, only a few ifany individuals having the desired genotype may be found in a large F₂or S₀ population. Typically, however, the genotype of neither theparents nor the desired genotype is known in any detail.

In addition to the preceding problem, it is not known how the genotypewill react with the environment. This genotype by environmentinteraction is an important, yet unpredictable, factor in plantbreeding. A breeder of ordinary skill in the art cannot predict thegenotype, how that genotype will interact with various environments orthe resulting phenotypes of the developing lines, except perhaps in avery broad and general fashion. A breeder of ordinary skill in the artwould also be unable to recreate the same line twice from the very sameoriginal parents as the breeder is unable to direct how the genomescombine or how they will interact with the environmental conditions.This unpredictability results in the expenditure of large amounts ofresearch resources in the development of a superior new maize inbredline.

Pioneer research station staff propose about 400 to 500 new inbreds eachyear from over 2,000,000 pollinations. Of those proposed new inbreds,less than 50 and more commonly less than 30 are actually selected forcommercial use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a novel inbred maize line,designated PH63A. This invention thus relates to the seeds of inbredmaize line PH63A, to the plants of inbred maize line PH63A, and tomethods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred linePH63A with itself or another maize line. This invention further relatesto hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred linePH63A with another maize line.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples that follow, a number of terms are usedherein. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided. NOTE: ABS is in absolute termsand %MN is percent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbredor hybrid was grown. These designators will follow the descriptors todenote how the values are to be interpreted. Below are the descriptorsused in the data tables included herein.

ANT ROT=ANTHRACNOSE STALK ROT (Colletotrichum graminicola). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Anthracnose Stalk Rot. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance.

BAR PLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were notbarren (lack ears).

BRT STK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage near thetime of pollination, and is an indication of whether a hybrid or inbredwould snap or break near the time of flowering under severe winds. Dataare presented as percentage of plants that did not snap.

BU ACR=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Yield of the grain at harvest in bushelsper acre adjusted to 15.5% moisture.

CLD TST=COLD TEST. The percent of plants that germinate under cold testconditions.

CLN=CORN LETHAL NECROSIS. Synergistic interaction of maize chloroticmottle virus (MCMV) in combination with either maize dwarf mosaic virus(MDMV-A or MDMV-B) or wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). A 1 to 9 visualrating indicating the resistance to Corn Lethal Necrosis. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance.

COM RST=COMMON RUST (Puccinia sorghi). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicatingthe resistance to Common Rust. A higher score indicates a higherresistance.

D/D=DRYDOWN. This represents the relative rate at which a hybrid willreach acceptable harvest moisture compared to other hybrids on a 1-9rating scale. A high score indicates a hybrid that dries relatively fastwhile a low score indicates a hybrid that dries slowly.

DIP ERS=DIPLODIA EAR MOLD SCORES (Diplodia maydis and Diplodiamacrospora). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toDiplodia Ear Mold. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

DRP EAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per plotand represents the percentage of plants that did not drop ears prior toharvest.

D/T=DROUGHT TOLERANCE. This represents a 1-9 rating for droughttolerance, and is based on data obtained under stress conditions. A highscore indicates good drought tolerance and a low score indicates poordrought tolerance.

EAR HT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to thehighest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured in inches.

EAR MLD=General Ear Mold. Visual rating (1-9 score) where a "1" is verysusceptible and a "9" is very resistant. This is based on overall ratingfor ear mold of mature ears without determining the specific moldorganism, and may not be predictive for a specific ear mold.

EAR SZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher therating the larger the ear size.

ECB 1LF=EUROPEAN CORN BORER FIRST GENERATION LEAF FEEDING (Ostrinianubilalis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance topreflowering leaf feeding by first generation European Corn Borer. Ahigher score indicates a higher resistance.

ECB 2IT=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION INCHES OF TUNNELING(Ostrinia nubilalis). Average inches of tunneling per plant in thestalk.

ECB 2SC=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION (Ostrinia nubilalis). A 1to 9 visual rating indicating post flowering degree of stalk breakageand other evidence of feeding by European Corn Borer, Second Generation.A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

ECB DPE=EUROPEAN CORN BORER DROPPED EARS (Ostrinia nubilalis). Droppedears due to European Corn Borer. Percentage of plants that did not dropears under second generation corn borer infestation.

EST CNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand establishmentin the spring and represents the number of plants that emerge on perplot basis for the inbred or hybrid.

EYE SPT=Eye Spot (Kabatiella zeae or Aureobasidium zeae). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Eye Spot. A higher scoreindicates a higher resistance.

FUS ERS=FUSARIUM EAR ROT SCORE (Fusarium moniliforme or Fusariumsubglutinans). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toFusarium ear rot. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

GDU=Growing Degree Units. Using the Barger Heat Unit Theory, whichassumes that maize growth occurs in the temperature range 50° F.-86° F.and that temperatures outside this range slow down growth; the maximumdaily heat unit accumulation is 36 and the minimum daily heat unitaccumulation is 0. The seasonal accumulation of GDU is a major factor indetermining maturity zones.

GDU SHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or heatunits required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50percent of the plants shedding pollen and is measured from the time ofplanting. Growing degree units are calculated by the Barger Method,where the heat units for a 24-hour period are: ##EQU1##

The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimumtemperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certainnumber of GDUs to reach various stages of plant development.

GDU SLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required for aninbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plantswith silk emergence from time of planting. Growing degree units arecalculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU SHD definition.

GIB ERS=GIBBERELLA EAR ROT (PINK MOLD) (Gibberella zeae). A 1 to 9visual rating indicating the resistance to Gibberella Ear Rot. A higherscore indicates a higher resistance.

GLF SPT=Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Gray Leaf Spot. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

GOS WLT=Goss' Wilt (Corynebacterium nebraskense). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Goss' Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

GRN APP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the generalappearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such factorsas the color of harvested grain, any mold on the grain, and any crackedgrain. High scores indicate good grain quality.

H/POP=YIELD AT HIGH DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively high plantdensities on 1-9 relative rating system with a higher number indicatingthe hybrid responds well to high plant densities for yield relative toother hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, andvery good yield response, respectively, to increased plant density.

HC BLT=HELMINTHOSPORIUM CARBONUM LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporiumcarbonum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance toHelminthosporium infection. A higher score indicates a higherresistance.

HD SMT=HEAD SMUT (Sphacelotheca reiliana). This score indicates thepercentage of plants not infected.

INC D/A=GROSS INCOME (DOLLARS PER ACRE). Relative income per acreassuming drying costs of two cents per point above 15.5 percent harvestmoisture and current market price per bushel.

INCOME/ACRE. Income advantage of hybrid to be patented over other hybridon per acre basis.

INC ADV=GROSS INCOME ADVANTAGE. GROSS INCOME advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

KSZ DCD=KERNEL SIZE DISCARD. The percent of discard seed; calculated asthe sum of discarded tip kernels and extra large kernels.

L/POP=YIELD AT LOW DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively low plantdensities on a 1-9 relative system with a higher number indicating thehybrid responds well to low plant densities for yield relative to otherhybrids. A 1, 5, and 9 would represent very poor, average, and very goodyield response, respectively, to low plant density.

MDM CPX=MAIZE DWARF MOSAIC COMPLEX (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus andMCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating theresistance to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage moisture ofthe grain at harvest.

MST ADV=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE. The moisture advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 as calculated by: MOISTURE of variety #2-MOISTURE of variety#1=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE of variety #1.

NLF BLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Helminthosporium turcicum or Exserohilumturcicum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to NorthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

PLT HT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant fromthe ground to the tip of the tassel in inches.

POL SC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofpollen shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed.

POL WT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tasselscollected as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar tasselsharvested after shedding is complete.

It should be understood that the inbred can, through routinemanipulation of cytoplasmic or other factors, be produced in amale-sterile form. Such embodiments are also contemplated within thescope of the present claims.

POP K/A=PLANT POPULATIONS. Measured as 1000s per acre.

POP ADV=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE. The plant population advantage ofvariety #1 over variety #2 as calculated by PLANT POPULATION of variety#2-PLANT POPULATION of variety #1=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE of variety#1.

PRM=PREDICTED RELATIVE MATURITY. This trait, predicted relativematurity, is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The relativematurity rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standardlinear regression analyses and is also referred to as the ComparativeRelative Maturity Rating System that is similar to the MinnesotaRelative Maturity Rating System.

PRM SHD=A relative measure of the growing degree units (GDU) required toreach 50% pollen shed. Relative values are predicted values from thelinear regression of observed GDU's on relative maturity of commercialchecks.

RT LDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants that donot root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis at anapproximately 30° angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.

RTL ADV=ROOT LODGING ADVANTAGE. The root lodging advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

SCT GRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount ofscatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion) on the ear. Thehigher the score the less scatter grain.

SDG VGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the amountof vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling stage(approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates better vigor.

SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single measure ofthe hybrid's worth based on information for up to five traits. A maizebreeder may utilize his or her own set of traits for the selectionindex. One of the traits that is almost always included is yield. Theselection index data presented in the tables represent the mean valueaveraged across testing stations.

SLF BLT=SOUTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium maydis or Bipolarismaydis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to SouthernLeaf Blight. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.

SOU RST=SOUTHERN RUST (Puccinia polysora). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Southern Rust. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

STA GRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health near thetime of black layer formation (physiological maturity). A high scoreindicates better late-season plant health.

STD ADV=STALK STANDING ADVANTAGE. The advantage of variety #1 overvariety #2 for the trait STK CNT.

STK CNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of plantsper plot.

STK LDG=STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that did notstalk lodge (stalk breakage) as measured by either natural lodging orpushing the stalks and determining the percentage of plants that breakbelow the ear.

STW WLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii). A 1 to 9 visual ratingindicating the resistance to Stewart's Wilt. A higher score indicates ahigher resistance.

TAS BLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure thedegree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the tassel at thetime of flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high level of blasting attime of flowering, while a 9 would have no tassel blasting.

TAS SZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the larger thetassel.

TAS WT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel (grams)just prior to pollen shed.

TEX EAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate therelative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1 would bevery soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard (flinty or verysmooth crown).

TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that couldpossibly shed pollen was taken. Data is given as a percentage oftillers: number of tillers per plot divided by number of plants perplot.

TST WT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of the grainin pounds for a given volume (bushel).

TST WTA=TEST WEIGHT ADJUSTED. The measure of the weight of the grain inpounds for a given volume (bushel) adjusted for 15.5 percent moisture.

TSW ADV=TEST WEIGHT ADVANTAGE. The test weight advantage of variety #1over variety #2.

WIN M%=PERCENT MOISTURE WINS.

WIN Y%=PERCENT YIELD WINS.

YLD=YIELD. It is the same as BU ACR ABS.

YLD ADV=YIELD ADVANTAGE. The yield advantage of variety #1 over variety#2 as calculated by: YIELD of variety #1-YIELD variety #2=yieldadvantage of variety #1.

YLD SC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a relativerating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher the rating thegreater visual yield appearance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Inbred maize lines are typically developed for use in the production ofhybrid maize lines. Inbred maize lines need to be highly homogeneous,homozygous and reproducible to be useful as parents of commercialhybrids. There are many analytical methods available to determine thehomozygotic and phenotypic stability of these inbred lines.

The oldest and most traditional method of analysis is the observation ofphenotypic traits. The data is usually collected in field experimentsover the life of the maize plants to be examined. Phenotypiccharacteristics most often observed are for traits associated with plantmorphology, ear and kernel morphology, insect and disease resistance,maturity, and yield.

In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can alsobe examined. There are many laboratory-based techniques available forthe analysis, comparison and characterization of plant genotype; amongthese are Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs),Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), and Simple SequenceRepeats (SSRs) which are also referred to as Microsatellites.

The most widely used of these laboratory techniques are IsozymeElectrophoresis and RFLPs as discussed in Lee, M., "Inbred Lines ofMaize and Their Molecular Markers," The Maize Handbook,(Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc. 1994, at 423-432) incorporated hereinby reference. Isozyme Electrophoresis is a useful tool in determininggenetic composition, although it has relatively low number of availablemarkers and the low number of allelic variants among maize inbreds.RFLPs have the advantage of revealing an exceptionally high degree ofallelic variation in maize and the number of available markers is almostlimitless.

Maize RFLP linkage maps have been rapidly constructed and widelyimplemented in genetic studies. One such study is described inBoppenmaier, et al., "Comparisons among strains of inbreds for RFLPs",Maize Genetics Cooperative Newsletter, 65:1991, pg. 90, is incorporatedherein by reference. This study used 101 RFLP markers to analyze thepatterns of 2 to 3 different deposits each of five different inbredlines. The inbred lines had been selfed from 9 to 12 times before beingadopted into 2 to 3 different breeding programs. It was results fromthese 2 to 3 different breeding programs that supplied the differentdeposits for analysis. These five lines were maintained in the separatebreeding programs by selfing or sibbing and rogueing off-type plants foran additional one to eight generations. After the RFLP analysis wascompleted, it was determined the five lines showed 0-2% residualheterozygosity. Although this was a relatively small study, it can beseen using RFLPs that the lines had been highly homozygous prior to theseparate strain maintenance.

Inbred maize line PH63A is a yellow, dent maize inbred that is bestsuited as a female in crosses for producing first generation F1 maizehybrids. PH63A is best adapted to the Central Corn Belt and the Westernand Dryland regions of the United States and can be used to producehybrids of approximately 112 relative maturity based on the ComparativeRelative Maturity Rating System for harvest moisture of grain. InbredPH63A is an excellent female parent demonstrating excellent yield, highlevels of stress tolerance, good seed sizing, and good cold test resultsas an inbred per se. In hybrid combination, PH63A demonstrates high,stable yields and good stalks and roots. PH63A hybrids also exhibitabove average seedling vigor and stay green. In addition, PH63A hybridsexhibit a high level of stress tolerance and yield stability for theirarea of adaptation.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits ofenvironmental influence for all the traits as described in the VarietyDescription Information (Table 1) that follows. The inbred has beenself-pollinated and ear-rowed a sufficient number of generations withcareful attention paid to uniformity of plant type to ensure thehomozygosity and phenotypic stability necessary to use in commercialproduction. The line has been increased both by hand and in isolatedfields with continued observation for uniformity. No variant traits havebeen observed or are expected in PH63A.

Inbred maize line PH63A, being substantially homozygous, can bereproduced by planting seeds of the line, growing the resulting maizeplants under self-pollinating or sib-pollinating conditions withadequate isolation, and harvesting the resulting seed, using techniquesfamiliar to the agricultural arts.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                               INBRED = PH63A                                                                ______________________________________                                        Type: Dent  Region Best Adapted:                                                                          Central Corn Belt                                                             Western U.S. and                                                              U.S. Drylands                                     A.   Maturity: Average across maturity zones. Zone: 0                              GDU Shed: 1430                                                                GDU Silk: 1430                                                                No. Reps: 4                                                              B.   Plant Characteristics:                                                        Plant height (to tassel tip): 205 cm                                          Length of top ear intermode: 13 cm                                            Number of ears per stalk: 1-2 ears                                            Ear height (to base of top ear): 78 cm                                        Number of tillers: None                                                  C.   Leaf:                                                                         Color: (B14) Dark Green*                                                      Angle from Stalk: <30 degrees                                                 Marginal Waves: (WF9) Few                                                     Number of Leaves (mature plants): 19                                          Sheath Pubescence: (W22) Light                                                Longitudinal Creases: (PA11) Many                                             Length (Ear node leaf): 84 cm                                                 Width (widest point, ear node leaf): 11 cm                               D.   Tassel:                                                                       Number lateral branches: 7                                                    Branch Angle from central spike: >45 degrees                                  Pollen Shed: Medium                                                           Peduncle Length (top leaf to basal branches): 24 cm                           Anther Color: Yellow*                                                         Glume Color: Green*                                                      E.   Ear (Husked Ear Data Except When Stated Otherwise):                           Length: 17 cm                                                                 Weight: 134 gm                                                                Mid-point Diameter: 44 mm                                                     Silk Color: Salmon*                                                           Husk Extension (Harvest stage): Medium (Barely Covering Ear)                  Husk Leaf: Long (>15 cm)                                                      Taper of Ear: Average                                                         Position of Shank (dry husks): Upright                                        Kernel Rows: Straight, Distinct   Number = 18                                 Husk Color (fresh): Light Green*                                              Husk Color (dry): Buff*                                                       Shank Length: 11 cm                                                           Shank (No. of intermode): 9                                              F.   Kernel (Dried):                                                               Size (from ear mid-point)                                                     Length: 11 mm                                                                 Width: 8 mm                                                                   Thick: 5 mm                                                                   Shape Grade (% rounds) 40-60                                                  Pericarp Color: Colorless*                                                    Aleurone Color: Homozygous Yellow*                                            Endosperm Color: Yellow*                                                      Endosperm Type: Normal Starch                                                 Gm Wt/100 Seeds (unsized): 29 gm                                         G.   Cob:                                                                          Diameter at mid-point: 24 mm                                                  Strength: Strong                                                              Color: Red*                                                              H.   Diseases:                                                                     Corn Lethal Necrosis (MCMV = Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus and                 MDMV = Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus): Intermediate                                Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV & MCDV = Maize                               Dwarf Virus): Susceptible                                                     Anthracnose Stalk Rot (C. graminicola): Intermediate                          S. Leaf Blight (B. maydis): Resistant                                         N. Leaf Blight (E. turcicum): Intermediate                                    Common Rust (P. sorghi): Intermediate                                         Eye Spot (K. zeae): Susceptible                                               Stewart's Wilt (E. stewartii): Resistant                                      Goss's Wilt (C. nebraskense): Highly Resistant                                Fusarium Ear Mold (F. moniliforme): Susceptible                          I.   Insects:                                                                      European Corn Borer-1 Leaf Damage (Pre-flowering): Susceptible                European Corn Borer-2 (Post-flowering): Intermediate                          The above descriptions are based on a scale of 1-9, 1 being highly            susceptible, 9 being highly resistant.                                        S (Susceptible): Would generally represent a score of 1-3.                    I (Intermediate): Would generally represent a score of 4-5.                   R (Resistant): Would generally represent a score of 6-7.                      H (Highly Resistant): Would generally represent a score of 8-9.               Highly resistant does not imply the inbred is immune.                    ______________________________________                                         *In interpreting the foregoing color designations, reference may be had t     the Munsell Glossy Book of Color, a standard color reference.            

Industrial Applicability

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a maize plantby crossing a first parent maize plant with a second parent maize plantwherein the first or second parent maize plant is an inbred maize plantof the line PH63A. Further, both first and second parent maize plantscan come from the inbred maize line PH63A. Thus, any such methods usingthe inbred maize line PH63A are part of this invention: selfing,backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like.All plants produced using inbred maize line PH63A as a parent are withinthe scope of this invention. Advantageously, the inbred maize line isused in crosses with other, different, maize inbreds to produce firstgeneration (F₁) maize hybrid seeds and plants with superiorcharacteristics.

As used herein, the term plant includes plant cells, plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue cultures from which maize plants can be regenerated,plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants orparts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, kernels,ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk andthe like.

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta (1985) 165:322-332 reflectsthat 97% of the plants cultured that produced callus were capable ofplant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybridsproduced 91% regenerable callus that produced plants. In a further studyin 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988),7:262-265 reports several media additions that enhance regenerability ofcallus of two inbred lines. Other published reports also indicated that"nontraditional" tissues are capable of producing somatic embryogenesisand plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize Genetics CooperationNewsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesis from glumecallus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports, 6:345-347(1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissue cultures of maizeleaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literature that the state ofthe art is such that these methods of obtaining plants are, and were,"conventional" in the sense that they are routinely used and have a veryhigh rate of success.

Tissue culture of maize is described in European Patent Application,publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Maize tissueculture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, "PlantRegeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize," Maize for Biological Research(Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at367-372) and in Duncan, et al., "The Production of Callus Capable ofPlant Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Numerous Zea MaysGenotypes," 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus, another aspect of thisinvention is to provide cells which upon growth and differentiationproduce maize plants having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of inbred line PH63A.

Maize is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material inindustry. The food uses of maize, in addition to human consumption ofmaize kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries.The principal products of maize dry milling are grits, meal and flour.The maize wet-milling industry can provide maize starch, maize syrups,and dextrose for food use. Maize oil is recovered from maize germ, whichis a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries.

Maize, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is alsoused extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairycattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of maize include production of ethanol, maize starch inthe wet-milling industry and maize flour in the dry-milling industry.The industrial applications of maize starch and flour are based onfunctional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesiveproperties, and ability to suspend particles. The maize starch and flourhave application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrialuses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundrybinders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other miningapplications.

Plant parts other than the grain of maize are also used in industry: forexample, stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs areused for fuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of inbred maize line PH63A, the plant produced from the inbredseed, the hybrid maize plant produced from the crossing of the inbred,hybrid seed, and various parts of the hybrid maize plant can be utilizedfor human food, livestock feed, and as a raw material in industry.

Performance Examples of PH63A

In the examples that follow, the traits and characteristics of inbredmaize line PH63A are given as a line. The data collected on inbred maizeline PH63A is presented for the key characteristics and traits.

The results in Table 2A compare PH63A to PHW52, another similarlyadapted inbred widely used as a female parent. The results show PH63A issignificantly higher yielding, has a significantly lower harvestmoisture and higher test weight than PHW52. PH63A has a significantlyhigher seedling vigor score and resistance to stalk lodging than PHW52.Both inbred PH63A and inbred PHW52 has good resistance to root lodging.

Table 2B compares PH63A to its parent, PHP38. As an inbred per se, PH63Ais significantly higher than PHP38. Both inbred PH63A and inbred PHP38demonstrate good resistance to stalk and root lodging. PH63A is ashorter inbred with somewhat lower ear placement and flowers (GDU Shedand GDU Silk) earlier than PHP38.

The results in Table 2C compare PH63A to PHHB4, another inbred used as afemale. The inbred per se results show PH63A is significantly higheryielding than PHHB4. Both inbreds exhibit good resistance to stalk androot lodging. Inbred PH63A Is earlier to shed and silk based on GDUscores than inbred PHHB4.

The results in Table 2D compare PH63A to PHHB9, another similarlyadapted inbred. The results show both inbreds are high yielding andinbred PH63A has a significantly lower harvest moisture than PHHB9. Inaddition, inbred PHHB9 demonstrates and significantly higher percentageof tillering plants. Inbred PH63A exhibits a significantly higherseedling vigor score and significantly earlier GDU to shed and silkscores than inbred PHHB9.

Table 3A compares PH63A to PHW52 when crossed to the same inbred testersand grown in the same experiments. The results show both PH63A hybridsand PHW52 hybrids are above average yielding, however, the PH63A hybridsdemonstrate significantly lower harvest moisture. Both PH63A hybrids andPHW52 hybrids have good stalk and root lodging resistance. PH63A hybridsexhibit significantly higher seedling vigor scores than PHW52 hybrids.

Table 3B compares PH63A and PHP38 when crossed to the same inbredtesters and grown in the same experiments. Both PH63A hybrids and PHP38hybrids are above average yielding, however, PH63A hybrids demonstrate asomewhat lower harvest moisture. Both PH63A hybrids and PHP38 hybridsexhibit good stalk and root lodging resistance and above averageseedling vigor scores. PH63A hybrids demonstrate significantly higherstay green and stalk count scores than PHP38 hybrids.

The results of Table 3C compare PH63A to PHHB4 when crossed to the sameinbred testers and grown in the same experiments. The results show bothPH63A hybrids and PHHB4 hybrids are above average yielding, however,PH63A hybrids have a lower harvest moisture than the PHHB4 hybrids. ThePH63A hybrids demonstrate significantly higher seedling vigor scores andstalk counts than the PHHB4 hybrids. Both PH63A and PHHB4 hybrids showgood resistance to root and stalk lodging.

Table 3D compares PH63A to PHHB9 when crossed to the same inbred testersand grown in the same experiments. The results show that although thePHHB9 hybrids are higher yielding, both PH63A hybrids and PHHB9 hybridsexhibit above average yields. In addition, the PH63A hybridssignificantly lower harvest moisture and higher test weight than thePHHB9 hybrids. PH63A hybrids have significantly higher seedling vigorscore and earlier GDU to shed and silk than PHHB9 hybrids. Both PH63Aand PHHB9 hybrids demonstrate above average resistance to stalk and rootlodging.

Table 4A compares PH63A to PHAG6, a similarly adapted inbred, whencrossed to PHBG4. The specific combining ability results show the PHAG6hybrid is higher yielding than the PH63A hybrid, however, both hybridsexhibit above average yields. The PH63A hybrid has significantly higherseedling vigor and earlier GDU to shed and silk than the PHAG6 hybrid.The PH63A hybrid has significantly higher root lodging resistance thanthe PHAG6 hybrid. Both hybrids exhibit above average resistance to stalklodging.

Table 4B compares PH63A to PHW52 when crossed to PHGB4. The specificcombining ability results show both hybrids have above average yield,however, the PH63A hybrid has a significantly lower harvest moisturethan the PHW52 hybrid. the PH63A hybrid demonstrates a significantlyhigher seedling vigor score, significantly higher stay green score and asignificantly lower GDU to shed and silk than the PHW52 hybrid. Bothhybrids demonstrate above average resistance to stalk and root lodging.

                                      TABLE 2A                                    __________________________________________________________________________    PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT                                               VARIETY #1 = PH63A                                                            VARIETY #2 = PHW52                                                            __________________________________________________________________________               BU BU     TST                                                                              SDG                                                                              EST                                                                              TIL                                                                              GDU                                                                              GDU                                                                              POL                                                                              TAS                                                                              PLT                                                                              EAR                                      ACR                                                                              ACR MST                                                                              WT VGR                                                                              CNT                                                                              LER                                                                              SHD                                                                              SLK                                                                              SC SZ HT HT                                       ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                           __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   78.8                                                                             128 18.5                                                                             57.8                                                                             6.3                                                                              34.2                                                                             2.2                                                                              145.7                                                                            146.5                                                                            5.9                                                                              5.8                                                                              89.1                                                                             36.2                                 2   62.3                                                                             92  20.0                                                                             57.0                                                                             4.7                                                                              34.1                                                                             0.7                                                                              149.8                                                                            154.0                                                                            5.2                                                                              5.9                                                                              90.9                                                                             32.9                                 LOCS                                                                              49 49  61 43 77 114                                                                              77 81 80 27 45 66 64                                   REPS                                                                              84 84  96 71 104                                                                              178                                                                              106                                                                              92 90 28 48 89 86                                   DIFF                                                                              16.5                                                                             36  1.5                                                                              0.8                                                                              1.6                                                                              0.1                                                                              1.5                                                                              4.1                                                                              7.6                                                                              0.6                                                                              0.1                                                                              1.8                                                                              3.3                                  PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .920                                                                             .053*                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .059*                                                                            .771                                                                             .050*                                                                            .013+                         __________________________________________________________________________               RT STA STK                                                                              BRT                                                                              GRN                                                                              SCT                                                                              EAR                                                                              TEX                                                                              EAR                                                                              BAR                                                                              DRP                                                                              GLF                                                                              NLF                                      LDG                                                                              GRN LDG                                                                              STK                                                                              APP                                                                              GRN                                                                              SZ EAR                                                                              MLD                                                                              PLT                                                                              EAR                                                                              SPT                                                                              BLT                                      ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                           __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   96.9                                                                             5.7 95.8                                                                             87.0                                                                             7.3                                                                              6.4                                                                              5.6                                                                              5.2                                                                              6.1                                                                              96.0                                                                             98.8                                                                             3.7                                                                              3.6                                  2   95.2                                                                             5.3 88.7                                                                             88.6                                                                             6.4                                                                              6.4                                                                              5.9                                                                              6.1                                                                              5.9                                                                              89.5                                                                             99.5                                                                             2.5                                                                              3.7                                  LOCS                                                                              17 45  26 25 13 24 13 10 25 66 7  14 5                                    REPS                                                                              27 66  47 33 21 26 13 10 28 81 14 19 9                                    DIFF                                                                              1.7                                                                              0.4 7.1                                                                              1.6                                                                              1.0                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.3                                                                              0.9                                                                              0.2                                                                              6.5                                                                              0.7                                                                              1.2                                                                              0.1                                  PR > T                                                                            .537                                                                             .091*                                                                             .008#                                                                            .560                                                                             .016+                                                                            .999                                                                             .549                                                                             .001#                                                                            .343                                                                             .004#                                                                            .261                                                                             .002#                                                                            .815                          __________________________________________________________________________               SLF                                                                              GOS STW                                                                              ANT                                                                              HD     MDM FUS                                                                              EYE                                                                              COM                                                                              ECB ECB                                      BLT                                                                              WLT WLT                                                                              ROT                                                                              SMT CLN                                                                              CPX ERS                                                                              SPT                                                                              RST                                                                              1LF 2SC                                      ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                           __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   6.8                                                                              8.0 6.9                                                                              3.8                                                                              100.0                                                                             5.0                                                                              3.0 4.4                                                                              6.0                                                                              4.0                                                                              4.0 3.0                                  2   6.5                                                                              7.5 4.5                                                                              2.8                                                                              100.0                                                                             5.5                                                                              3.0 5.1                                                                              4.0                                                                              2.3                                                                              3.0 7.0                                  LOCS                                                                              3  2   5  2  1   1  1   7  1  2  4   1                                    REPS                                                                              5  4   7  4  2   2  2   9  1  3  4   1                                    DIFF                                                                              0.3                                                                              0.5 2.4                                                                              1.0                                                                              0.0 0.5                                                                              0.0 0.8                                                                              2.0                                                                              1.8                                                                              1.0 4.0                                  PR > T                                                                            .184                                                                             .500                                                                              .001#                                                                            .000#         .249  .258                                                                             .092*                             __________________________________________________________________________     *= 10% SIG                                                                    += 5% SIG                                                                     #= 1% SIG                                                                

                                      TABLE 2B                                    __________________________________________________________________________    PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT                                               VARIETY #1 = PH63A                                                            VARIETY #2 = PHP38                                                            __________________________________________________________________________               BU BU     TST                                                                              SDG                                                                              EST                                                                              TIL                                                                              GDU                                                                              GDU                                                                              POL                                                                              POL POL                                                                              TAS                                                                              PLT                                  ACR                                                                              ACR MST                                                                              WT VGR                                                                              CNT                                                                              LER                                                                              SHD                                                                              SLK                                                                              WT WT  SC SZ HT                                   ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   78.8                                                                             128 18.6                                                                             57.8                                                                             6.2                                                                              35.5                                                                             2.1                                                                              145.2                                                                            146.2                                                                            162.4                                                                            98  5.8                                                                              5.7                                                                              88.6                             2   61.9                                                                             95  19.1                                                                             58.7                                                                             6.0                                                                              34.7                                                                             1.0                                                                              148.1                                                                            149.4                                                                            154.3                                                                            92  5.2                                                                              5.5                                                                              96.9                             LOCS                                                                              49 49  60 43 80 133                                                                              96 102                                                                              101                                                                              6  6   33 47 68                               REPS                                                                              84 84  95 71 107                                                                              205                                                                              131                                                                              118                                                                              116                                                                              12 12  40 50 91                               DIFF                                                                              16.9                                                                             32  0.5                                                                              0.9                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.8                                                                              1.1                                                                              2.9                                                                              3.2                                                                              8.1                                                                              6   0.6                                                                              0.2                                                                              8.3                              PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                             .112                                                                             .000#                                                                            .212                                                                             .280                                                                             .080*                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .174                                                                             .109                                                                              .006#                                                                            .193                                                                             .002#                     __________________________________________________________________________               EAR                                                                              RT  STA                                                                              STK BRT                                                                              GRN                                                                              SCT                                                                              EAR TEX                                                                              EAR                                                                              BAR DRP                                                                              GLF                                   HT LDG GRN                                                                              LDG STK                                                                              APP                                                                              GRN                                                                              SZ  EAR                                                                              MLD                                                                              PLT EAR                                                                              SPT                                   ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   35.9                                                                             96.9                                                                              5.7                                                                              95.8                                                                              86.3                                                                             7.3                                                                              6.3                                                                              5.5 5.1                                                                              6.0                                                                              96.0                                                                              98.8                                                                             3.6                               2   36.6                                                                             97.7                                                                              5.3                                                                              94.8                                                                              93.1                                                                             7.2                                                                              6.1                                                                              5.1 5.7                                                                              6.5                                                                              93.8                                                                              98.8                                                                             2.8                               LOCS                                                                              66 17  45 26  27 13 25 14  12 26 66  7  15                                REPS                                                                              88 27  66 47  37 21 27 14  12 29 81  14 20                                DIFF                                                                              0.7                                                                              0.8 0.3                                                                              0.9 6.8                                                                              0.1                                                                              0.2                                                                              0.4 0.6                                                                              0.5                                                                              2.2 0.0                                                                              0.8                               PR > T                                                                            .468                                                                             .249                                                                              .091*                                                                            .559                                                                              .004#                                                                            .666                                                                             .341                                                                             .290                                                                              .027+                                                                            .051*                                                                            .063*                                                                             .999                                                                             .065*                      __________________________________________________________________________               NLF                                                                              SLF GOS                                                                              STW ANT                                                                              HD    MDM FUS                                                                              EYE                                                                              COM ECB                                                                              ECB                                   BLT                                                                              BLT WLT                                                                              WLT ROT                                                                              SMT                                                                              CLN                                                                              CPX ERS                                                                              SPT                                                                              RST 1LF                                                                              2SC                                   ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                        __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   3.6                                                                              6.8 8.0                                                                              6.9 3.5                                                                              100.0                                                                            5.0                                                                              3.0 4.4                                                                              6.0                                                                              4.5 3.4                                                                              3.5                               2   3.6                                                                              7.7 7.8                                                                              4.5 3.7                                                                              100.0                                                                            4.5                                                                              3.0 5.4                                                                              5.0                                                                              4.9 3.0                                                                              6.5                               LOCS                                                                              5  3   2  5   3  1  1  1   7  1  4   5  2                                 REPS                                                                              9  5   3  7   5  2  2  2   9  1  5   5  2                                 DIFF                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.8 0.3                                                                              2.4 0.2                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.5                                                                              0.0 1.0                                                                              1.0                                                                              0.4 0.4                                                                              3.0                               PR > T                                                                            .999                                                                             .300                                                                              .500                                                                             .001#                                                                             .860         .156  .215                                                                              .374                                                                             .000#                      __________________________________________________________________________     *= 10% SIG                                                                    += 5% SIG                                                                     #= 1% SIG                                                                

                                      TABLE 2C                                    __________________________________________________________________________    PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT                                               VARIETY #1 = PH63A                                                            VARIETY #2 = PHHB4                                                            __________________________________________________________________________               BU BU     TST                                                                              SDG                                                                              EST                                                                              TIL                                                                              GDU                                                                              GDU                                                                              POL                                                                              TAS                                                                              FLT                                                                              EAR                                      ACR                                                                              ACR MST                                                                              WT VGR                                                                              CNT                                                                              LER                                                                              SHD                                                                              SLK                                                                              SC SZ HT HT                                       ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                           __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   82.5                                                                             131 18.6                                                                             57.9                                                                             6.3                                                                              33.6                                                                             2.4                                                                              144.0                                                                            145.0                                                                            5.8                                                                              5.7                                                                              90.1                                                                             36.5                                 2   62.1                                                                             92  17.6                                                                             58.5                                                                             4.8                                                                              29.9                                                                             1.1                                                                              149.9                                                                            154.0                                                                            2.7                                                                              2.9                                                                              102.8                                                                            32.1                                 LOCS                                                                              37 37  45 34 63 103                                                                              74 78 76 27 43 57 55                                   REFS                                                                              59 59  67 53 81 154                                                                              90 80 79 28 45 71 68                                   DIFF                                                                              20.3                                                                             39  1.0                                                                              0.6                                                                              1.4                                                                              3.7                                                                              1.3                                                                              5.9                                                                              9.0                                                                              3.1                                                                              2.8                                                                              12.7                                                                             4.4                                  PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                             .001#                                                                            .008#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .104                                                                             .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .131                          __________________________________________________________________________               RT STA STK                                                                              BRT                                                                              GRN                                                                              SCT                                                                              EAR                                                                              TEX                                                                              EAR                                                                              BAR                                                                              DRF                                                                              GLF                                                                              NLF                                      LDG                                                                              GRN LDG                                                                              STK                                                                              APP                                                                              GRN                                                                              SZ EAR                                                                              MLD                                                                              PLT                                                                              EAR                                                                              SFT                                                                              BLT                                      ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                           __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   96.5                                                                             5.7 96.3                                                                             89.8                                                                             7.3                                                                              6.3                                                                              5.6                                                                              5.0                                                                              6.1                                                                              96.1                                                                             100.0                                                                            3.6                                                                              3.8                                  2   95.4                                                                             4.9 96.5                                                                             98.8                                                                             6.8                                                                              5.0                                                                              5.6                                                                              5.8                                                                              5.9                                                                              90.6                                                                             100.0                                                                            3.3                                                                              3.9                                  LOCS                                                                              14 34  17 22 7  25 13 11 24 53 2  13 4                                    REFS                                                                              21 46  30 27 9  27 13 11 27 62 4  18 8                                    DIFF                                                                              1.1                                                                              0.8 0.2                                                                              9.0                                                                              0.5                                                                              1.3                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.8                                                                              0.2                                                                              5.5                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.3                                                                              0.1                                  PR > T                                                                            .541                                                                             .023+                                                                             .801                                                                             .009#                                                                            .216                                                                             .002#                                                                            .999                                                                             .005#                                                                            .501                                                                             .002#                                                                            .999                                                                             .450                                                                             .718                          __________________________________________________________________________               SLF                                                                              GOS STW                                                                              ANT                                                                              HD     MDM FUS                                                                              EYE COM                                                                              ECB                                                                              ECB                                      BLT                                                                              WLT WLT                                                                              ROT                                                                              SMT CLN                                                                              CPX ERS                                                                              SPT RST                                                                              1LF                                                                              2SC                                      ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                           __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   6.8                                                                              8.0 6.9                                                                              3.5                                                                              100.0                                                                             5.0                                                                              3.0 4.1                                                                              6.0 4.7                                                                              3.4                                                                              3.5                                  2   7.0                                                                              8.0 5.0                                                                              3.5                                                                              94.9                                                                              2.5                                                                              2.5 4.7                                                                              5.0 4.0                                                                              3.4                                                                              5.0                                  LOCS                                                                              2  2   5  3  1   1  1   5  1   3  5  2                                    REPS                                                                              4  4   7  5  2   2  2   6  1   3  5  2                                    DIFF                                                                              0.3                                                                              0.0 1.9                                                                              0.0                                                                              5.1 2.5                                                                              0.5 0.6                                                                              1.0 0.7                                                                              0.0                                                                              1.5                                  PR > T                                                                            .500                                                                             .999                                                                              .049+                                                                            .999          .553   .184                                                                             .999                                                                             .205                          __________________________________________________________________________     *= 10% SIG                                                                    += 5% SIG                                                                     #= 1% SIG                                                                

                                      TABLE 2D                                    __________________________________________________________________________    PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON REPORT                                               VARIETY #1 = PH63A                                                            VARIETY #2 = PHHB9                                                            __________________________________________________________________________               BU BU     TST                                                                              SDG                                                                              EST                                                                              TIL                                                                              GDU                                                                              GDU                                                                              POL                                                                              POL POL                                                                              TAS                                                                              PLT                                  ACR                                                                              ACR MST                                                                              WT VGR                                                                              CNT                                                                              LER                                                                              SHD                                                                              SLK                                                                              WT WT  SC SZ HT                                   ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   73.9                                                                             129 18.5                                                                             57.6                                                                             6.4                                                                              33.4                                                                             2.5                                                                              145.5                                                                            146.4                                                                            160.8                                                                            97  5.8                                                                              5.8                                                                              93.2                             2   82.2                                                                             140 21.7                                                                             57.5                                                                             5.1                                                                              35.5                                                                             13.0                                                                             149.7                                                                            151.0                                                                            103.6                                                                            61  3.6                                                                              3.3                                                                              101.9                            LOCS                                                                              30 30  38 27 55 91 65 76 75 6  6   29 43 53                               REPS                                                                              50 50  59 44 69 148                                                                              92 90 88 10 10  35 46 70                               DIFF                                                                              8.3                                                                              11  3.2                                                                              0.1                                                                              1.3                                                                              2.1                                                                              10.4                                                                             4.2                                                                              4.5                                                                              57.1                                                                             36  2.2                                                                              2.4                                                                              8.7                              PR > T                                                                            .033+                                                                            .202                                                                              .000#                                                                            .699                                                                             .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .002#                                                                             .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                            .000#                     __________________________________________________________________________               EAR                                                                              RT  STA                                                                              STK BRT                                                                              GRN                                                                              SCT                                                                              EAR TEX                                                                              EAR BAR                                                                              DRP GLF                                  HT LDG GRN                                                                              LDG STK                                                                              APP                                                                              GRN                                                                              SZ  EAR                                                                              MLD PLT                                                                              EAR SPT                                  ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   36.9                                                                             97.2                                                                              5.8                                                                              95.2                                                                              86.5                                                                             7.4                                                                              6.4                                                                              5.6 5.0                                                                              6.2 95.8                                                                             98.0                                                                              3.6                              2   33.5                                                                             97.7                                                                              6.2                                                                              90.7                                                                              86.9                                                                             6.0                                                                              7.4                                                                              6.9 6.3                                                                              6.4 95.9                                                                             100.0                                                                             5.0                              LOCS                                                                              53 13  34 16  21 11 24 12  10 23  45 4   11                               REPS                                                                              70 20  47 31  29 18 26 12  10 26  54 8   16                               DIFF                                                                              3.4                                                                              0.5 0.4                                                                              4.5 0.4                                                                              1.4                                                                              1.0                                                                              1.3 1.3                                                                              0.2 0.1                                                                              2.0 1.4                              PR > T                                                                            .082*                                                                            .827                                                                              .289                                                                             .129                                                                              .919                                                                             .022+                                                                            .003#                                                                            .008#                                                                             .000#                                                                            .396                                                                              .936                                                                             .041+                                                                             .012+                     __________________________________________________________________________               NLF                                                                              SLF GOS                                                                              STW ANT                                                                              HD    MDM FUS                                                                              EYE COM                                                                              ECB ECB                                  BLT                                                                              BLT WLT                                                                              WLT ROT                                                                              SMT                                                                              CLN                                                                              CPX ERS                                                                              SPT RST                                                                              1LF 2SC                                  ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   3.8                                                                              6.8 8.0                                                                              6.9 3.5                                                                              100.0                                                                            5.0                                                                              3.0 4.1                                                                              6.0 4.5                                                                              4.0 3.5                              2   4.0                                                                              7.8 6.8                                                                              5.3 3.5                                                                              100.0                                                                            5.5                                                                              3.0 6.1                                                                              6.0 6.3                                                                              3.5 4.5                              LOCS                                                                              4  2   2  4   3  1  1  1   5  1   4  4   2                                REPS                                                                              8  4   4  6   5  2  2  2   7  1   5  4   2                                DIFF                                                                              0.3                                                                              1.0 1.3                                                                              1.6 0.0                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.5                                                                              0.0 2.0                                                                              0.0 1.8                                                                              0.5 1.0                              PR > T                                                                            .182                                                                             .000#                                                                             .126                                                                             .007#                                                                             .999         .142   .188                                                                             .182                                                                              .705                      __________________________________________________________________________     *= 10% SIG                                                                    += 5% SIG                                                                     #= 1% SIG                                                                

                                      TABLE 3A                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Average Inbred By Tester Performance Comparing PH63A To PHW52 Crossed         To The Same Inbred Testers And Grown In The Same Experiments.                 __________________________________________________________________________               SEL    BU BU  PRM    TST                                                                              SDG EST GDU GDU STK                                   IND PRM                                                                              ACR                                                                              ACR SHD                                                                              MST WT VGR CNT SHD SLK CNT                                   % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              10  11 150                                                                              150 9  152 88 66  90  29  19  164                               LOCS                                                                              10  11 97 97  9  98  57 49  65  20  14  106                               PH63A                                                                             106 115                                                                              176                                                                              105 113                                                                              103 58 111 99  102 100 101                               PHW52                                                                             100 117                                                                              181                                                                              107 114                                                                              111 58 92  100 104 103 101                               DIFF                                                                              6   2  5  3   1  8   0  19  2   2   3   0                                 PR > T                                                                            0.06                                                                              0.00                                                                             0.08                                                                             0.11                                                                              0.02                                                                             0.00                                                                              0.30                                                                             0.00                                                                              0.21                                                                              0.08                                                                              0.00                                                                              0.52                       __________________________________________________________________________               PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GPN EYE                                                                              ECB                                                                              ECB                                                                              DRP GLF                                  HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP SPT                                                                              DPE                                                                              2SC                                                                              EAR SPT                                  % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              62  62  45  55  112 22  20  1  2  5  26  2                                LOCS                                                                              50  50  36  45  77  17  19  1  2  5  22  2                                PH63A                                                                             98  99  110 126 101 98  94  4  97 5  99  5                                PHW52                                                                             99  96  112 113 101 99  97  4  100                                                                              6  100 6                                DIFF                                                                              1   3   1   12  1   1   3   0  3  0  1   1                                PR > T                                                                            0.36                                                                              0.03                                                                              0.36                                                                              0.01                                                                              0.71                                                                              0.78                                                                              0.53   0.50                                                                             0.50                                                                             0.02                                                                              0.20                      __________________________________________________________________________     *PR > T values are valid only for comparisons with Locs >= 10.           

                                      TABLE 3B                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Average Inbred By Tester Performance Comparing PH63A To PHP38 Crossed         To The Same Inbred Testers And Grown In The Same Experiments.                 __________________________________________________________________________               SEL    BU  BU  PRM    TST SDG EST GDU GDU                                     IND PRM                                                                              ACR ACR SHD                                                                              MST WT  VGR CNT SHD SLK                                     % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                         __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              12  16 67  67  9  67  38  18  37  15  7                                   LOCS                                                                              12  16 63  63  9  63  37  16  33  14  7                                   PH63A                                                                             104 111                                                                              165 101 110                                                                              93  58  114 98  98  98                                  PHP38                                                                             103 112                                                                              172 106 111                                                                              96  58  111 99  99  100                                 DIFF                                                                              1   1  7   5   1  3   0   3   1   1   2                                   PR > T                                                                            0.90                                                                              0.01                                                                             0.02                                                                              0.03                                                                              0.04                                                                             0.10                                                                              0.97                                                                              0.70                                                                              0.53                                                                              0.34                                                                              0.11                         __________________________________________________________________________               STK PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN SOU                                                                              ECB                                                                              DRP                                     CNT HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP RST                                                                              2SC                                                                              EAR                                     % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                         __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              77  37  36  11  24  49  14  3   1  2  15                                  LOCS                                                                              73  35  34  11  24  46  14  3   1  2  15                                  PH63A                                                                             101 100 97  101 104 99  99  46  6  4  99                                  PHP38                                                                             97  100 99  101 92  102 102 87  6  2  100                                 DIFF                                                                              4   1   3   0   12  3   3   41  0  2  1                                   PR > T                                                                            0.03                                                                              0.63                                                                              0.17                                                                              0.34                                                                              0.16                                                                              0.06                                                                              0.36                                                                              0.08   0.30                                                                             0.22                         __________________________________________________________________________     *PR > T values are valid only for comparisons with Locs >= 10.           

                                      TABLE 3C                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Average Inbred By Tester Performance Comparing PH63A To PHHB4 Crossed         To The Same Inbred Testers And Grown In The Same Experiments.                 __________________________________________________________________________               SEL    BU BU  PRM    TST                                                                              SDG EST GDU GDU STK                                   IND PRM                                                                              ACR                                                                              ACR SHD                                                                              MST WT VGR CNT SHD SLK CNT                                   % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              25  29 137                                                                              137 24 158 87 71  77  35  16  173                               LOCS                                                                              25  29 126                                                                              126 24 140 79 60  69  30  14  155                               PH63A                                                                             104 114                                                                              169                                                                              105 112                                                                              102 58 110 100 101 100 101                               PHHB4                                                                             106 115                                                                              175                                                                              108 115                                                                              106 58 95  98  104 105 99                                DIFF                                                                              2   0  5  4   3  3   0  15  2   3   5   2                                 PR > T                                                                            0.39                                                                              0.12                                                                             0.06                                                                             0.05                                                                              0.00                                                                             0.00                                                                              0.87                                                                             0.00                                                                              0.12                                                                              0.00                                                                              0.00                                                                              0.02                       __________________________________________________________________________               PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN EYE                                                                              ECB                                                                              ECB                                                                              DRP GLF                                  HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP SPT                                                                              DPE                                                                              2SC                                                                              EAR SPT                                  % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              69  69  61  67  113 38  21  1  4  9  32  3                                LOCS                                                                              64  64  52  59  100 32  21  1  4  8  29  3                                PH63A                                                                             98  99  105 124 102 103 100 4  96 6  99  6                                PHHB4                                                                             103 99  106 115 100 108 107 6  100                                                                              6  100 6                                DIFF                                                                              5   0   1   8   2   4   6   2  4  0  1   1                                PR > T                                                                            0.00                                                                              0.93                                                                              0.33                                                                              0.09                                                                              0.11                                                                              0.04                                                                              0.04   0.19                                                                             0.48                                                                             0.01                                                                              0.46                      __________________________________________________________________________     *PR > T values are valid only for comparisons with Locs >= 10.           

                                      TABLE 3D                                    __________________________________________________________________________    Average Inbred By Tester Performance Comparing PH63A To PHHB9 Crossed         To The Same Inbred Testers And Grown In The Same Experiments.                 __________________________________________________________________________               SEL    BU  BU  PRM    TST SDG EST GDU GDU                                     IND PRM                                                                              ACR ACR SHD                                                                              MST WT  VGR CNT SHD SLK                                     % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                         __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              14  16 97  97  12 100 54  48  61  21  9                                   LOCS                                                                              14  16 77  77  12 79  42  36  44  15  8                                   PH63A                                                                             106 114                                                                              170 105 112                                                                              104 58  110 100 100 100                                 PHHB9                                                                             111 117                                                                              192 118 115                                                                              111 57  94  101 105 104                                 DIFF                                                                              5   3  21  13  3  8   1   16  1   5   4                                   PR > T                                                                            0.09                                                                              0.00                                                                             0.00                                                                              0.00                                                                              0.00                                                                             0.00                                                                              0.01                                                                              0.00                                                                              0.45                                                                              0.00                                                                              0.00                         __________________________________________________________________________               STK PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN ECB                                                                              DRF GLF                                    CNT HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP DPE                                                                              EAR SPT                                    % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                         __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            REPS                                                                              105 48  48  31  43  74  22  6   1  18  2                                  LOCS                                                                              85  44  44  28  37  57  18  6   1  15  2                                  PH63A                                                                             102 99  99  111 131 101 102 98  100                                                                              98  6                                  PHHB9                                                                             103 102 102 114 117 101 106 110 100                                                                              100 6                                  DIFF                                                                              1   3   4   3   14  0   4   12  0  2   1                                  PR > T                                                                            0.13                                                                              0.00                                                                              0.02                                                                              0.18                                                                              0.01                                                                              0.88                                                                              0.12                                                                              0.08   0.02                                                                              0.80                        __________________________________________________________________________     *PR > T values are valid only for comparisons with Locs >= 10.           

                                      TABLE 4A                                    __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY #1 = PH63A/PHBG4                                                      VARIETY #2 = PHAG6/PHBG4                                                      __________________________________________________________________________                   PRM                                                                              BU  BU      TST SDG EST GDU  GDU STK                                   PRM SHD                                                                              ACR ACR MST WT  VGR CNT SHD  SLK CNT                                   ABS ABS                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN % MN                                                                              % MN                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   115 112                                                                              166.7                                                                             103 104 58.2                                                                              105 99  100  99  100                               2   116 114                                                                              171.5                                                                             106 105 58.2                                                                              92  99  102  103 100                               LOCS                                                                              64  54 314 314 323 173 119 147 72   55  358                               REPS                                                                              64  54 466 466 480 207 163 182 85   59  527                               DIFF                                                                              0   2  4.8 3   1   0.0 13  0   2    3   0                                 PR > T                                                                            .999                                                                              .000#                                                                            .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .105                                                                              .999                                                                              .000#                                                                             .999                                                                              .000#                                                                              .000#                                                                             .999                       __________________________________________________________________________               PLT EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN DRP GLF                                                                              NLF                                                                              SLF                                                                              GOS                                  HT  HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP EAR SPT                                                                              BLT                                                                              BLT                                                                              WLT                                  % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   96  95  110 126 102 102 95  100 5.0                                                                              3.2                                                                              5.1                                                                              8.0                              2   98  100 97  118 101 105 101 99  5.3                                                                              2.8                                                                              4.3                                                                              8.0                              LOCS                                                                              116 111 88  90  173 31  40  58  17 9  4  1                                REPS                                                                              145 139 141 118 232 42  40  66  27 18 8  2                                DIFF                                                                              2   5   13  8   1   3   6   0   0.4                                                                              0.5                                                                              0.9                                                                              0.0                              PR > T                                                                            .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .023+                                                                             .152                                                                              .162                                                                              .086*                                                                             .999                                                                              .282                                                                             .005#                                                                            .256                         __________________________________________________________________________               STW                                                                              ANT                                                                              HD    MDM FUS                                                                              GIB                                                                              EYE                                                                              COM                                                                              SOU ECB                                                                              ECB                                                                              ECB                                                                              ECB                                  WLT                                                                              ROT                                                                              SMT                                                                              CLN                                                                              CPX ERS                                                                              ERS                                                                              SPT                                                                              RST                                                                              RST DPE                                                                              1LF                                                                              2SC                                                                              2IT                                  ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                                                                              ABS                       __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   4.3                                                                              3.7                                                                              96.2                                                                             6.0                                                                              2.9 5.4                                                                              6.9                                                                              4.0                                                                              4.5                                                                              4.3 97.5                                                                             3.7                                                                              5.6                                                                              2.6                              2   3.3                                                                              4.4                                                                              100.0                                                                            3.8                                                                              2.4 5.0                                                                              6.8                                                                              4.0                                                                              4.5                                                                              4.3 96.1                                                                             4.3                                                                              6.1                                                                              1.7                              LOC 3  8  3  2  4   4  2  1  1  4   4  4  23 1                                REPS                                                                              4  16 6  4  11  7  5  1  2  6   6  9  39 3                                DIFF                                                                              1.0                                                                              0.8                                                                              3.8                                                                              2.3                                                                              0.5 0.4                                                                              0.1                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.0                                                                              0.0 1.4                                                                              0.7                                                                              0.5                                                                              0.9                              PR > T                                                                            .423                                                                             .244                                                                             .199                                                                             .421                                                                             .080*                                                                             .638                                                                             .874     .999                                                                              .704                                                                             .011+                                                                            .055*                        __________________________________________________________________________     *= 10% SIG                                                                    += 5% SIG                                                                     #= 1% SIG                                                                

                                      TABLE 4B                                    __________________________________________________________________________    VARIETY #1 = PH63A/PHBG4                                                      VARIETY #2 = PHW52/PHBG4                                                      __________________________________________________________________________                    PRM BU  BU      TST SDG EST  GDU GDU  STK PLT                             PRM SHD ACR ACR MST WT  VGR CNT  SHD SLK  CNT HT                              ABS ABS ABS % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS % MN                                                                              % MN % MN                                                                              % MN %                                                                                 %                   __________________________________________________________________________                                                              MN                  TOTAL SUM                                                                            1    116 113 190.2                                                                             103 107 59.1                                                                              113 101  101 100  101 98                         2    118 115 192.6                                                                             104 111 58.8                                                                              91  101  103 103  101 98                         LOCS 15  24  83  83  89  55  42  49   28  24   91  37                         REPS 15  24  155 155 161 61  51  57   34  27   155 44                         DIFF 2   2   2.4 1   4   0.3 22  1    2   3    1   1                          PR > T                                                                             .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                             .303                                                                              .524                                                                              .000#                                                                             .127                                                                              .000#                                                                             .476 .000#                                                                             .000#                                                                              .482                                                                              .394                __________________________________________________________________________               EAR RT  STA STK BRT GRN DRP GLF NLF MDM EYE ECB ECB                           HT  LDG GRN LDG STK APP EAR SPT BLT CPX SPT DPE 2SC                           % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              % MN                                                                              ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS                __________________________________________________________________________    TOTAL SUM                                                                            1   97  113 131 102 101 97  99  5.5 2.9 3.5 4.0 96.9                                                                              6.1                       2   93  115 113 101 97  95  100 6.0 3.6 2.0 4.0 100.0                                                                             6.2                       LOCS                                                                              37  41  38  62  14  19  17  2   2   1   1   2   9                         REPS                                                                              44  61  46  76  19  19  19  2   3   2   1   2   19                        DIFF                                                                              5   2   19  2   4   2   1   0.5 0.8 1.5 0.0 3.1 0.0                       PR > T                                                                            .003#                                                                             .111                                                                              .005#                                                                             .153                                                                              .227                                                                              .691                                                                              .045+                                                                             .500                                                                              .500        .500                                                                              .999               __________________________________________________________________________     *= 10% SIG                                                                    += 5% SIG                                                                     #= 1% SIG                                                                

Deposits

Applicants have made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of Inbred MaizeLine PH63A with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville,Md. 20852 USA, ATCC Deposit No. 209409. The seeds deposited with theATCC on Oct. 24, 1997 were taken from the deposit maintained by PioneerHi-Bred International, Inc., 700 Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, DesMoines, Iowa 50309-2340 since prior to the filing date of thisapplication. This deposit of the Inbred Maize Line PH63A will bemaintained in the ATCC depository, which is a public depository, for aperiod of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for theeffective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replacedif it becomes nonviable during that period. Additionally, Applicantshave satisfied all the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809,including providing an indication of the viability of the sample.Applicants impose no restrictions on the availability of the depositedmaterial from the ATCC; however, Applicants have no authority to waiveany restrictions imposed by law on the transfer of biological materialor its transportation in commerce. Applicants do not waive anyinfringement of their rights granted under this patent or under thePlant Variety Protection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq.). U.S. Plant VarietyProtection of PH63A has been applied for under Application No. 9600173.

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications suchas single gene modifications and mutations, somoclonal variants, variantindividuals selected from large populations of the plants of the instantinbred and the like may be practiced within the scope of the invention,as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Seed of maize inbred line designated PH63A havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No.
 209409. 2. A maize plant, andparts thereof, of inbred line PH63A, seed of said line having beendeposited under ATCC accession No.
 209409. 3. Pollen of the plant ofclaim
 2. 4. An ovule of the plant of claim
 2. 5. A maize plant, andparts thereof, having all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of the plant of claim
 2. 6. A male sterile maize plant,and parts thereof, otherwise having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the plant of claim
 2. 7. A tissueculture of regenerable cells of a maize plant of inbred line PH63A, seedof said inbred line having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.209409, wherein the tissue regenerates plants capable of expressing allthe morphological and physiological characteristics of plants of saidinbred line PH63A.
 8. A tissue culture according to claim 7, the cellsor protoplasts being of a tissue selected from the group consisting ofleaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips, anthers, silks, flowers,kernels, ears, cobs, husks, and stalks.
 9. A maize plant regeneratedfrom the tissue culture of claim 7, capable of expressing all themorphological and physiological characteristics of inbred line PH63A,seed of said inbred line having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.209409.
 10. A method for producing a first generation (F₁) hybrid maizeseed comprising crossing the plant of claim 2 with a different inbredparent maize plant and harvesting the resultant first generation (F₁)hybrid maize seed.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein inbred maize plantof claim 2 is the female parent.
 12. The method of claim 10 whereininbred maize plant of claim 2 is the male parent.
 13. A method forproducing a first generation (F₁) hybrid maize seed comprising crossingthe plant of claim 5 with a different inbred parent maize plant andharvesting the resultant first generation (F₁) hybrid maize seed. 14.The method of claim 13 wherein inbred maize plant of claim 5 is thefemale parent.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein inbred maize plant ofclaim 5 is the male parent.
 16. An F₁ hybrid seed produced by crossingthe inbred maize plant according to claim 2 with another, differentmaize plant.
 17. An F₁ hybrid plant, and parts thereof, grown from theseed of claim
 16. 18. An F₁ hybrid seed produced by crossing the inbredmaize plant according to claim 5 with another, different maize plant.19. An F₁ hybrid plant, and parts thereof, grown from the seed of claim18.